Van de Kamp and Ms. Paul’s Frozen Fish
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as “100% Whole Fish”
Fleischmann’s Margarine and Vegetable Oil Spreads
In January 2016, a class-action lawsuit was filed against ConAgra Foods for, among other things, allegedly deceptively marketing Fleischmann’s margarine and vegetable oil spread products. According to the complaint, the company markets the products as healthy when, in reality, they contain partially hydrogenated oils, which cause various health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, because they contain artificial trans fat. In addition, plaintiffs claim that the company does not adequately disclose that the products contain added artificial butter flavor, as required by state and federal law. (Backus et al v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., Case No. 16-cv-454, N. D. CA.)
For more information about trans fat and TINA.org’s coverage of the topic, click here.
Class-Action Tracker
Chef Boyardee Pasta Products
Allegations: Falsely advertising products as containing “No Preservatives”
Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli, Beefaroni, and Lasagna Products
Allegations: Falsely advertising products as containing “No Preservatives”
Benecol Regular and Light Spreads
Allegations: Misleadingly labeling products as containing no trans fats and being safe for human consumption when the spreads contain partially hydrogenated oils, which are trans fats that increase the risk…
Mrs. Paul’s and Van De Kamp’s Seafood Products
Allegations: Falsely marketing seafoods as sustainable
Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Gourmet Popping Corn
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as natural and containing “only real ingredients” when the ingredient list reveals they contain artificial ingredients
Snack Packs of Chocolate Fudge Pudding
Allegations: Falsely marketing pudding as “Made With Real Milk”
Snack Pack Chocolate Fudge Pudding
Allegations: Falsely marketing that pudding contains “real milk” when it actually contains nonfat milk and palm oil
Bigs Chile Limón Sunflower Seeds
Allegations: Failing to adequately disclose that products contain artificial and unnatural ingredients to enhance the flavor of the characterizing ingredients
Log Cabin All Natural Pancake Mix
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing ingredients in Log Cabin Pancake Mixes
Banquet Frozen Chicken
Allegations: False natural claims
Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that brownies are fudge when they are missing ingredients essential in fudge
ConAgra Wesson Cooking Oil
Allegations: False natural claims
ConAgra’s Parkay Spray
August 2020: A federal judge granted ConAgra’s motion for summary judgment concluding that the claims are preempted by federal law. September 2018: Plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Second Amended Class Action…
Wesson Oils
May 2020: The First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s dismissal of the complaint and remanded the case for further proceedings. To read the decision, click here. (Lee…
Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
In November 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against ConAgra Brands for allegedly misleadingly representing that the product is “Made with Real Cocoa” when, according to plaintiffs, the product actually…
Duncan Hines Simple Mornings Blueberry Streusel Premium Muffin Mix
July 2017: This case was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. August 2016: A class-action…
La Choy Crispy Noodle Products
In May 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against ConAgra Brands for allegedly falsely marketing La Choy crispy noodle products as containing “0g Trans Fat” when, according to plaintiffs, the…
Log Cabin Syrup
April 2019: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed. November 2018: This…
Duncan Hines Blueberry Muffin Mix
July 2017: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. September 2016: This action…
Duncan Hines Simple Mornings Muffin Mixes
July 2017: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. January 2017: This action…
Conagra Foods Oil Products
May 2017: The stay was extended pending the outcome of another case against the company, Briseno v. ConAgra Foods. January 2015: This action was stayed pending the outcome of a…
Fleischmann’s Simply Homemade® Baking Mixes
In September 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed against ACH Food Companies, Inc. for allegedly deceptively packaging Fleischmann’s Simply Homemade® baking mixes in opaque containers with approximately 50% empty space.…
Fat Free Enhanced Milks
July 2014: This case was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. February 2013: A class-action…
Low Sodium and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Smart Balance® Buttery Spreads
October 2016: This action was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. The named plaintiff’s claims were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended…
Crunch ‘n Munch
March 2017: A federal judge dismissed the complaint When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. finding that federal law preempts the claims. June 2015: A class-action…
Slim Jim® Snacks
February 2015: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled., the reasons for which have not been…
Hunt’s Canned Tomato Products, PAM Cooking Sprays, and Swiss Miss Products
August 2017: The appeal was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. July 2016: ConAgra Foods’s motion to stay the appeal pending the resolution of a Supreme…
PAM Cooking Sprays
September 2015: A federal judge granted the plaintiffs’ motion to dismiss this action. The named plaintiff’s claims were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.…
Hunt’s Tomato Products
September 2015: A federal judge granted the named plaintiff’s motion for dismissal. His individual claims were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. while class…
Fleischmann’s Margarines and Vegetable Oil Spreads
In January 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed against ConAgra for allegedly falsely representing that margarines and vegetable oil spreads are healthful and not harmful to the cardiovascular system when,…
Chef Boyardee Food Products
January 2016: This action was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled. because the summons was not served upon defendant.…
Marie Callender Baking Mixes
December 2015: After some of the claims were dismissed, the parties reached a settlement and voluntarily dismissed the named plaintiff’s individual claims When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it…
The Packaging of Slim Jim® Products
September 2015: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.. The reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed. April 2015: A…
The Latest
CATrends: What the Fudge?
Lawsuits allege brownie brands and others lack the essential dairy ingredients to call their products fudge.
Log Cabin Syrup
Sticky marketing claim irks consumer.
Consumers Are Feeling Unfulfilled
How much is really in there?